Explore Seoul's historic and modern sights on this walking tour with visits to Cheonggyecheon stream and the Blue House to Gyeongbokgung Palace and National Folk Museum of Korea.

What to Expect

You will be picked up at 8:30am from your hotel for this small group Seoul tour.

On your way to see the first attraction, you will pass by Deoksugung Palace. This tour starts at Cheonggyecheon stream, an 11 kilometer (7-mile) long, modern public recreation space in downtown Seoul. In July 2003, then Seoul mayor Lee Myung-bak initiated a project to remove the elevated highway and restore the stream. One of the goals of the project were to restore the history and culture of the region, which had been lost for 30 years, and to revitalize the economy of Seoul.

Next, visit the site of the royal garden of the Joseon Dynasty, Cheongwadae (The Blue House) - the executive office and official residence of the South Korean head of state, the President of the Republic of Korea. The Blue House is in fact a complex of buildings, built largely in the traditional Korean architectural style with some modern elements. You will stop by Cheongwadae Saranchae (Outside the building on Monday), a Korean presidential exhibition center, newly opened as of January 2010. The term 'Sarangchae' refers to a place designated to receive guests in a traditional Korean home. Normally, ‘Sarangchae’ stands as a separate building from Anchae where owners of the house stay. As the name ‘Cheongwadae Saranchae’ indicates, it is a separate building located in front of Cheongwadae.

Afterwards, you will continue to Gyeongbokgung Palace, the largest of the five grand palaces built by the Joseon dynasty. The government ministry district and main buildings of Gyeongbokgung Palace formed the heart of the capital city of Seoul and represented the sovereignty of the Joseon Dynasty. The architectural principles of ancient China were harmoniously incorporated into both the tradition and the appearance of the Joseon royal court. The National Folk Museum of Korea is a national museum of South Korea, located within the grounds of the Gyeongbokgung Palace that uses replicas of historical objects to illustrate the history of traditional life of the Korean people. There are three permanent exhibition halls, two special exhibition halls, a shop and a reference room.

Last but not least, at the end of this tour, you will get a choice of visiting an amethyst or ginseng shopping center after which you will be dropped-off at Myeongdong or Namdaemun market.

• Minimum of 2 persons. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there are not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund
• National Folk Museum is replaced with Deoksugung Palace on Tuesdays
• Cheongwadae Saranche is closed on Mondays (visit from outside only)
• Comfortable walking shoes are recommended